John Peterson’s career on the PGA Tour has been plagued by injuries, including one to his left hand that required surgery two years ago, and he is considering retirement if it doesn’t turn around soon.
Things started to go his way late in the first round of the Wells Fargo Championship.
The 29-year-old Peterson, who won the 2011 NCAA individual title at LSU but has only one victory as a pro, holed out twice for eagles down the stretch to shoot 6-under-par 65 and take a two-stroke lead over five players at Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, N.C.
“I’m kind of free-wheeling it at this point,” said Peterson, who has three more tournaments left on a major medical extension to make enough money and regain his playing card. “I know a little bit has been said about me retiring if I don’t make the necessary money for my medical starts, and all that’s true. If I don’t make it, I’m not playing golf anymore.
“Either way is fine with me. I’ve got everything in place for both sides of it, so I’m not going to be bothered if I don’t make it. Obviously, I would never be bothered to win a golf tournament out here.”
Peterson, whose only pro victory came in the 2012 Coca-Cola Walmart Open on the Adams Tour, had a solid round going despite his only bogey on the fifth hole while finishing on the front nine, before holing a bunker shot from 57 feet on the seventh hole and knocking in a wedge shot from 107 yards for another eagle at No. 8.
Johnson Wagner made eagles on the 14th and 15th holes en route to a 67 and is tied for second with Tyrell Hatton of England, who birdied the last two holes, Peter Malnati, Keith Mitchell and Kyle Stanley.
Seventh-ranked Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, who won at Quail Hollow in 2010 and 2015, birdied three of his first six holes and recorded a 68 to tie for seventh with Beau Hossler of Rancho Santa Margarita, Aaron Wise of Lake Elsinore, Keegan Bradley, Michael Thompson, Tom Lovelady, Ollie Schniederjans, Jason Dufner, Emiliano Grillo of Argentina and Geoff Ogilvy of Australia.
Tiger Woods, who won the tournament in 2007, totaled 71 and is in a tie for 34th that includes 10th-ranked Patrick Reed, while Phil Mickelson shot 72 and is in a tie for 59th that includes sixth-ranked Rickie Fowler of Murrieta and defending champion Brian Harman.
Second-ranked Justin Thomas is tied for 79th after a 73, while eighth-ranked Hideki Matsuyama of Japan struggled to a 77 and is tied for 135th.
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